Well, I went over to the Jeep forum and asked this very same question and knowone could talk me out of buying a New Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. In fact, they might have egged me on a little. Through my work I get a pretty sweet deal on any of the big 3 automakers and whatever companies they are a part of. I can get a new Rubi that sells for almost $31k for a hair over $26k. I always tell people when they ask me about my Element that it's by far the best vehicle I've ever owned so why the hell am I stuck on buying a new Rubi? BTW... I wont be getting rid of my Element :-). Am I doing the right thing? I can swing the payments but $430/month is a good chunk of money that I'm not spending currently except of movies and going out to places with my wife. I'm serious so please dont think this is a joke.

PS. I'd also like to add that my current drive (an 88 chevy pick up) is a piece of crap that just wont die BUT!! it could die in a day or ten years from now. I also drive about eight miles to work and work about 60-65 hours a week. If any of that matters.

When and where would you drive the Rubicon?

When and where would you drive the Rubicon?
Good question.... I have Sunday and Mondays off so I guess my wife and I could head for the mountains on Sundays. There are several Jeep clubs in our area. Not sure I want to get into that whole scene though because I dont like working on my vehicles anymore and Jeeps a notorious for being mnoney pits because your gonna wanna upgrade. I just noticed my dealer has five or six new Elements in. Maybe if I take a ride over there and have a look I'll be swayed back to reality.

Doesn't matter what WE think or the dudes over on the Jeep site think.....What the heck does your wife think? You have to live with the new car payments, the up grade costs and the increase in insurance that comes with full coverage on a new toy......and the person who sleeps next to you.:) :) :)

Doesn't matter what WE think or the dudes over on the Jeep site think.....What the heck does your wife think? You have to live with the new car payments, the up grade costs and the increase in insurance that comes with full coverage on a new toy......and the person who sleeps next to you.:) :) :)
I have to say that I have the greatest wife in the world. I wouldnt trade her for the hottest richest chick on the planet. My gut tells me NO but the little devil on my shoulder tells me yes. I should be a grown-up and listen to my gut. I know the Element and the Rubi are WAY different and the quality of the Honda is way better than the Jeep could ever hope to be. The Honda is better on Fuel and the planet BLAA BLAA BLAA... A 2005 leftover is $6k cheaper than the Rubi. My wife and I are trying to get pregnant again (long and sad story) and the Ele would be better suited for a family vehicle over the Jeep. I guess I'm kinda answering my own questions huh?

Plus if you drive in the winter, which I'm guessing you will in PA the Jeep Rubicon is probably the worst thing you can drive. The short wheel base is ridiculous and the ride is crap.

Invest that $430 a month in your upcoming baby's college fund and you'll have enough for their law school tuition, too, and then after they get on with a big firm they can buy their Daddy a Jeep.

That '06 Jeep will then cost $1800 on e-bay.

:)

Invest that $430 a month in your upcoming baby's college fund and you'll have enough for their law school tuition, too, and then after they get on with a big firm they can buy their Daddy a Jeep.

Ditto.

At the risk of sounding like your father...after the adrenalin rush of anticipted ownership and the excitement of a new ride have quickly worn off, you'll be stuck with the drudgery of $430 a month payments. A year from now, when you're desperately trying to get rid of the Jeep for whatever reason, what can you get for it?

Besides, in your gut you already know the answer to this question.

As the owner of many Jeeps in the past, let me tell you that the Wrangler is one of the most intriguing fun to drive vehicles I have ever owned. But it is noisey on the highway, the ride is terrible, the safety of it is abysmal, the fuel economy is crap, and the reliability leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, if I could afford I toy, that is what I would own...hands down, no contest.

Invest that $430 a month in your upcoming baby's college fund and you'll have enough for their law school tuition, too, and then after they get on with a big firm they can buy their Daddy a Jeep.

That '06 Jeep will then cost $1800 on e-bay.

:)

No offence but I'd rather have a my child be a hooker or a drug dealer as their chosen profession. Lawyers are a quarter step ahead of child molesters in my book.

Thanks for the advise. I'm choosing to keep my current truck till it dies and then we'll see what happens.

Or look at it this way....31K dollar vehicle that you can get for a hair over 26K that will be worth around 19K after the first year 13K over the second year and 10K the third year.

I'm exaggerating a little but you know what i'm getting at.:|

How about waiting till the Toyota FJ Cruiser comes out and make a side by side comparison? The latest prices estimates (22-28,000) put it in the same price range. Off-road it should be just as good as the Rubicon, with interior space nearly as good as the Element.

paulj

Paulj makes a good point.

When I was researching a practical vehicle to go with my miata, I looked at the jeep (not enough storage space for two people plus luggage for a decent ski trip (much less surfing). I also looked at older Land Rovers (as in 1960s) and first generation Ford Bronco (also 1960s).

Make a matrix with the first column what you need in a vehicle (sportiness, luggage hauling ability, 4 wheel drive), the second column the importance of each, the next few columns devoted to how each possible vehicle ranks (1,2,3) amongst each other. Might give a surprising answer.

why dont you look at an unlimited rubicon? thats what i'd get

All that I can tell you is this. Of the 3 people that I know owened Jeep rubicons, and the 4 that had unlimiteds. All but one have Toys or Hondas the one oddball ( one in every groop ) got a Ford. Of the 6 people that had Hondas . they still have them ( the same ones ) . Of the 3 that had Toyotas they still have them ( the same ones ). 4 of our groop got Isuz Troopers, ( mine and My Wife's each had over 167.000 miles and were 1994's ) all but one now have Hondas. The one still has the Trooper ( A 1996 w/42.000). It's Gotta tell you something !!

Since the Rubicon "suppossedly" doesnt hold its value...why not just drive the old truck till it dies THEN buy a USED Rubicon?? Best of both worlds!

BTW, the Rubicon is MUCH better in real snow then the E no matter what anybody says. Now if the E had full time all wheel drive I might evaluate it differently but the "auto" system is barely better than traction control in any 2 wheel drive car...better? sure, but not as good as it should be!

If the Rubicon is something that you are looking for then go for it. If you need a longer wheel base then the Rubicon Unlimited is a bit longer. Rubicon Express makes lift kits for both. The Rubicon is a trail tested Jeep. Also Jeep is coming out with a 4dr wrangler in the next year wheel base of about 114 inch. or so. the unlimited it about 96 inch if i remember correct. As for the ride if you get the Rubicon it is a coil suspension system and not leaf springs the ride is very good for a 4x4 most people think of the old jeeps with the leafs and they ride bad. The only thing that I can tell you is to drive one. There are some places that rent them Lake Tahoe would be a good place to drive one on the "Rubicon Trail" or ever Spider lake in the Sierras.

Mark

I suppose if you do a lot of off roading it must be terrific, other than that it's just a Jeep!

Oh, the horror... I won't even ride in those things anymore in typical urban/freeway environments. The army also 86'ed them for a reason. They just seem so utterly inappropriate for typical American day-to-day use. Hey, can you bring a couple of friends over to help me put the top on? Where does this piece go? The glovebox?

That said... Mr. Ferrari himself is known to have said, "The Jeep is the only TRUE sportscar that America ever made..."

Too bad we don't pave our roads with boulders and logs.

I should be shot for not buying a Jeep sooner! I was hit by a DD in Jan and my truck was totaled. I used the insurance money to buy a Rubicon. There's nothing like a Jeep. Sure it's crude rides like crap and gets 15mpg but it's awesome and it's mine. Like the saying goes... It's a Jeep thing! You wouldnt understand.

True, we own a Jeep and an Element, and I still don't understand the Jeep thang.

No, but I'd be very surprised if Consumer Reports couldn't.

In CR, Honda and Toyota products rule.

I should be shot for not buying a Jeep sooner! I was hit by a DD in Jan and my truck was totaled. I used the insurance money to buy a Rubicon. There's nothing like a Jeep. Sure it's crude rides like crap and gets 15mpg but it's awesome and it's mine. Like the saying goes... It's a Jeep thing! You wouldnt understand.
Well, I'm glad that you apparently weren't hurt in the accident. That's a good thing.

I would never think about talking anyone out of something they're set on doing. The Element is a great product, and it does what the designers wanted it to do.

The Wrangler is a terrific vehicle as well, and does what no other vehicle can really do and go where not many other vehicles can really go. Personally, if you've got the money then you should get whatever floats your boat. In my opinion, anyway.

I like everything about the Element, with the notable exception of the location of the sunroof. I'll never understand why it's located where it is. But, overall, it's a nice riding vehicle, has plenty of space, and is a good ride.

Of course, then there's the Rubicon, which is a completely different vehicle. I like everything about the Rubi, and it's got the added bonus of being able to pop it's top completely off.

If you could have waited, the new 2007 Jeep with the neato-keen power windows and door locks is coming out, and it seems to be quite the worthy successor to the current Wrangler.

And then there's the rig I'm waiting on; the Toyota FJ Cruiser. It could be great, it could not be great. Like the Wrangler and the Element, it's an aquired taste and a unique vehicle that appeals to a certain buyer. Whether I'm that certain buyer remains to be seen; I've played with it at the car shows where it's made appearances, but I really would like to get a bit of seat time before I get out my checkbook for the next car.

Of course, once I buy whatever it is I buy, Jeep will announce that the Gladiator will be going into production...

Sigh...

Your pal,
Meat.

I have to say that I have the greatest wife in the world. I wouldnt trade her for the hottest richest chick on the planet. My gut tells me NO but the little devil on my shoulder tells me yes. I should be a grown-up and listen to my gut. I know the Element and the Rubi are WAY different and the quality of the Honda is way better than the Jeep could ever hope to be. The Honda is better on Fuel and the planet BLAA BLAA BLAA... A 2005 leftover is $6k cheaper than the Rubi. My wife and I are trying to get pregnant again (long and sad story) and the Ele would be better suited for a family vehicle over the Jeep. I guess I'm kinda answering my own questions huh?

What? You wife's NOT the hottest chick on the planet? And you think she's going to let you knock her up after that comment? :shock:

If you could have waited, the new 2007 Jeep with the neato-keen power windows and door locks is coming out, and it seems to be quite the worthy successor to the current Wrangler.

Sigh...

Your pal,
Meat.

I thought long and hard about it. The few things they added to the 2007 to make it more trail worthy can be had in the aftermarket world. I'm not diggin the new grill or the fog lights but they will gorw on me. I also dont care much for the power windows and locks. I understand why Jepp is doing it to market it to a bigger group of people but it's a Jeep and IMHO should stay no frills. Let the yuppies drive the Liberty

No, but I'd be very surprised if Consumer Reports couldn't.

In CR, Honda and Toyota products rule.


bla-bla-bla.
On paper Oreos look bad as well. In real life they are pretty darn good. I've seen countless rollover reports on all kinds of SUVS. I'm gonna be blunt here because I know no other way to put it. DO you know who roll SUV's over on the road? STUPID people. People that dont have a friggin clue how to drive PERIOD! End of story. Know your vehicle and know how to use it in both daily and emergency maneuvers and you wont roll it.

bla-bla-bla.
. I'm gonna be blunt here because I know no other way to put it. DO you know who roll SUV's over on the road? STUPID people. People that dont have a friggin clue how to drive PERIOD! End of story. Know your vehicle and know how to use it in both daily and emergency maneuvers and you wont roll it.
I agree. Must be a better way to say it. Umm, no there isn't. However there are certain roll overs caused by mechanical/tire malfunctions, other than that they're caused by driver error.

My Brother-in-law has the Unlimited Rubicon and I can tell you, what a great Jeep! Not sure if I would get the 6 speed manual, but that would be the only thing that I would consider changing on the Jeep. My wife and I are thinking of a Unlimted in about a year or two. Good luck and post pics shoudl you get it!:grin:

I had a Jeep Wrangler for about 6 years and I loved it "BUT" it's not very versital at all. When I just used it to get around and to get to work it was ok but if you need to haul anything with any size at all your screwed. When we had our child it was murder. I have tools that I use for work and I would have to take them out and put in the child seat and that was a chore to do every day. I say if your just going to use it for toolin around in and have the extra cash then more power to ya, but its not really good for anything but that. Oh and other Jeep owners wave at you unlike E owners. When I first go tthe E I would kinda wave (just a peace sign from on top of the steering wheel) at other E's and never got a return wave, just a strange look now and then.:rolleyes: I sugest getting it and selling it in 2 years while you can still get some good return for it. Jeeps hold there value very well. Well thats my two cents worth. I hope I didn't bore you.

I thought long and hard about it. The few things they added to the 2007 to make it more trail worthy can be had in the aftermarket world. I'm not diggin the new grill or the fog lights but they will gorw on me. I also dont care much for the power windows and locks. I understand why Jepp is doing it to market it to a bigger group of people but it's a Jeep and IMHO should stay no frills. Let the yuppies drive the Liberty
Personally, I like the PDL and PW options. I'm not sure how it's going to affect the removability of the doors, but I mostly drove my Jeeps with the doors on anyways (I always think of taking the doors off the Jeep as more of a crooked baseball hat/saggy-a$$ jeans kind of wannabe gangbanger (my son calls them "wangers") teen angst thing; it doesn't make you look tough, it just lets everyone know you didn't change your underwear recently).

I do like the new Libertyesque plastic fenders, the wider stance, the longer wheelbase and the overall look of the new Wrangler. I'm not completely sold on the four door version, and I really don't think I'm going to be thrilled with the 2WD version (it's a Jeep, it should have 4WD, dammit!).

But it's all kind of moot, since the rig hasn't hit showrooms yet.

http://cobratrader.com/images/yellow_with_black_flares.jpg
Hell, I'm still working on the Summit SUT conversion for my current generation Wrangler.

Your pal,
Meat.

my wife loves her old wranglers (was her High School cool vehicle) and still wants one - unfortunately they've had 3 wranglers and 2 of them caught on fire...first was a CJ-7 that caught on fire on the highway...they got a 2nd one and it caught on fire in their garage but they came home just in time to see smoke pouring out of the garage door and were able to douse it with water from their garden hose...they then bought another wrangler and a grand cherokee...the grand cherokee has been the biggest money pit and at 90k miles has had several items repaired such as: 2 a/c units, 2 p/s units, 2 rear diffs, transmission, cylinder head blew, the whole interior falling apart...they replaced it with the Pilot and have over 80k miles in 2 years due to all the traveling they do and no break downs

now, i've got friends who swear by their regular cherokee (which seems to be the best built jeeps) and were very upset when they discontinued them

i've got a cousin who goes to the jeep camps and rather ignorantly claims they are the best cars on the planet but then has to shell out $500-$1000 every other month for their grand cherokee

my wife loves her old wranglers (was her High School cool vehicle) and still wants one - unfortunately they've had 3 wranglers and 2 of them caught on fire...first was a CJ-7 that caught on fire on the highway...they got a 2nd one and it caught on fire in their garage but they came home just in time to see smoke pouring out of the garage door and were able to douse it with water from their garden hose...they then bought another wrangler and a grand cherokee...the grand cherokee has been the biggest money pit and at 90k miles has had several items repaired such as: 2 a/c units, 2 p/s units, 2 rear diffs, transmission, cylinder head blew, the whole interior falling apart...they replaced it with the Pilot and have over 80k miles in 2 years due to all the traveling they do and no break downs

now, i've got friends who swear by their regular cherokee (which seems to be the best built jeeps) and were very upset when they discontinued them

i've got a cousin who goes to the jeep camps and rather ignorantly claims they are the best cars on the planet but then has to shell out $500-$1000 every other month for their grand cherokee
I have to agree about the Cherokee; I never, ever had even one problem with mine ... and my parents 2WD Cherokee worked great until my drunk druggie brother got ahold of it and then ran it out of oil and siezed the engine.

I'm not much of a fan of the Grand Cherokee, although many Jeep people seem to swear by them. Its not that I've ever had a problem with one, I've just never seen a used one that doesn't look ... I dunno, used.

Wranglers, on the other hand, are a throw back to a simpler time when you could leave your doors unlocked or when you knew your neighbors and everyone with the wherewithall could buy a house. Wranglers are the Mayberry, NC of the auto world.

...and I like Mayberry. It's a nice town. It's comfortable.

Your pal,
Meat.

Invest that $430 a month in your upcoming baby's college fund and you'll have enough for their law school tuition, too, and then after they get on with a big firm they can buy their Daddy a Jeep.

That '06 Jeep will then cost $1800 on e-bay.

:)

Wranglers have extremely high resale values. My 93 Wrangler with 190K miles can still fetch $4000 (and I paid about 12k for it at 60k miles). It has been extremely reliable due to the lack of any advanced electronics. Engine and transmission never had any problems.

It is extremely fun, and best in hot weathers. When I lived in LA, I kept the top down from April to Nov. Now I am in SF and hardly ever take the top off. The soft top is extremely noisy. Now I wish I had hard top.

I don't see why you would want a Rubicon unless you want to do some serious offroading, but then, any "Trail-rated" Jeep can get through the Rubicon trail without any mod. That was one of the principles of Jeep (until the Compass, I guess). You probably can get a mid-range used Wrangler for much cheaper and won't notice any difference.

The 07 Wrangler looks good. However, I wouldn't buy it in the first year because they changed the engine. The I6 can easily last 300k miles with proper maintainence. We will have to see on the V6.

Wranglers are far from being a safe vehicle to drive.
I wouldn't worry about Off-Road driving, it's the On-Road city driving I'd worry about. I've seen what happens to drivers of Wranglers in SoCal traffic accidents and it's not a pretty sight. Get T-Boned in one and it's instant death.

Wranglers are far from being a safe vehicle to drive.
I wouldn't worry about Off-Road driving, it's the On-Road city driving I'd worry about. I've seen what happens to drivers of Wranglers in SoCal traffic accidents and it's not a pretty sight. Get T-Boned in one and it's instant death.you have that right...most people buy Wranglers for the "image" to look cool...i'd say >50% of current Wrangler owners have never driven their vehicle off road for where its design was intended

on road the Wrangler is a handful with such a short wheel base and high center of gravity make them easy to tip over..and since they are so small they are dangerous to drive...not to mention they get pretty bad mpg considering their size

you have that right...most people buy Wranglers for the "image" to look cool...i'd say >50% of current Wrangler owners have never driven their vehicle off road for where its design was intended

on road the Wrangler is a handful with such a short wheel base and high center of gravity make them easy to tip over..and since they are so small they are dangerous to drive...not to mention they get pretty bad mpg considering their size

Actually, if 50% of any SUV model go offroad, that's pretty high. Most SUV models (even Grand Cherokee) probably have less than 5% going offroad.

And Wrangler is extremely fun for daily driving, if you are in hot weather and have the top down. That's the convertable factor. In a normal convertable, the wind goes through your hair. In a Wrangler, due to its high seating and bad aerodynamic, the wind will go through your whole body, including your feet. Of course, in a cold weather, that freezes your butt off.

I miss driving my Wrangler in LA.

And in early days, a 4-cyn Wrangler is a very good basic transportable, costing less than 15k (even a Neon costs that much) and offers a pretty big luggage space with the back seat folded up.